Wire-and-picket-fence machine



(No Model.) I

A. H. ROGERS.

WIRE AND PIGKBTFENGE MACHINE.

Patented July 6,1892.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. V

AGUSTUS H. ROGERS, OF NORTH AMHERST, OHIO.

WIRE-AND-PICKET-FENCE MACHI NE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 478,173, dated July 5. 1892.

Application filed September 18, 1891. Serial No. 406,074. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AGUSTUS H. ROGERS, of North Amherst, in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in fence-machines; and it consists in certain features of construction and in combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. a

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1, 2, and 3 are elevations showing, respectively, side, rear, and front views of a fence-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation in section in detail. Figs. 5 and 6 are views in perspective in detail of the clamp mechanism, showing, respectively, the clamp in position closed and open. Fig. '7 is an elevation of an extension-piece for the body of the machine.

A represents the body of the machine, the same bearing any desired number of rotating heads B (in the present instance five) for twist ing the wires. These heads are intergeared in any suitable manner-for instance, as shown, wherein each head B is provided with a sprocket-wheel B, with an endless chain 13 engaging the different sprocket wheels. A driving sprocket-wheel 13 engages the chain and is intergeared with crank 12, whereby the different heads B are simultaneously rotated on their axes by operating'the crank, all of which may be of ordinary construction.

My improvements comprise in the main a clamping device for holding the successive pickets while the wires are being twisted to secure them and means for conveniently plumbing the machine, so that the pickets will stand vertical in the fence. The clamping device comprises a stationary jaw G and a movable jaw O, the latter having a handle C for opening the clamp and having a spring 0 acting on the movable jaw in the direction to close the clamp. The movable jaw has a notch c, that in the open position of the clamp is engaged ,by a gravity-latch D, by which engagement the clamp is held open while a picket is being placed therein,after which by tilting the latch upward the clamp-jaws instantly close upon the picket and hold the latter pending the twisting of the wires. An adjustable stop F is provided and located directly over the line of the jaws for engaging the top end of the pickets, so that the top of the pickets along the fence will be in line; also, suitable stops or blocks ff are provided for engaging the edge of the pickets in placing the latter in the clamp.

The body of the machine is pivoted at a to legs G G, these legs being preferably integral at the apex thereof, and these legs are provided with a toothed sector g, that serves as a brace, the teeth thereof, as shown, being on the under edge of the sector. lower end thereof are provided with wheels G, adapted to travel on the ground; but in practice boards, planks, or scantling are laid down on the ground to form a track for the machine to travel on, there being usually cleats secured to the track for the wheels to run between toguide the wheels laterally. There is a spring-latch H connected with the body of the machine, the spring thereof acting upward. This latch, near the free end thereof, is' adapted to engage the teeth of the sector for locking the machine, and the protruding end of the latch serves as a treadle by means of which the operator with his footcan depress the latch to disengage it from the teeth of the sector, and while the latch is held in its depressed position the machine can be turned on its pivotal bearing at a to adjust it to a vertical position, and this being-done the operator withdraws his foot from the treadle, whereupon the locking occurs instantaneousl y.

A plummet I, located substantially as shown in Fig. 1, comprises, preferably, a small rod havinga hook end or eye at the upper end engaging a staple driven into the body of the machine. This simple and inexpensive plummet is sufficiently accurate for the purpose and'is not easily broken or injured.

The manner of operating this class of machines is so well known that it is not considered necessary to give any directions in the matter.

In constructing a fence of more than the average height-such, for instance, as is not infrequently desired around poultry-yards-the- The legs at .the

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topmost Wire by means of the average-sized machine could not be located near the upper end of the pickets, as desirable. I therefore provide the detachable section shown in Fig. 7, the same being constructed to nicely fit on top of the body of the machine and secured thereto, preferably, by means of straps and bolts, as shown at 75, and, in short, being adapted to elongate the body of the machine, having the necessary sprocket-Wheel, (be. It will be observed that by such detachable section the machine can readily be made to accomn1odate the construction of fence of more than the average height aforesaid, necessitating but the elevation of the gage F and the requisite lengthening of the chain B and requiring but a few moments of time.

Vhat I claim is- 1. In a fence-machine, a spring-clamp for clamping pickets and alatch adapted to hold the clamp open, substantially as set forth.

2. In a fence-machine of the variety indicated, a spring-clamp comprising a movable spring-actuated jaw and a stationary jaw, a handle for opening the clamp, and a gravitylatch for locking the clamp in its open position, substantially as set forth.

In a fence machine, the combination, With a spring-clamp, substantially as indicated, of an adjustable stop located above the clamp for engaging the top of the picket in placing the latter in the clamp, substantially as set forth.

a. In a fence-machine, the combination, with the bodyof the machine, of a pair of diverging legs pivotally connected with the body portion, said legs having rollers at their outer ends, a toothed sector connecting thelegs, and a latch connected with the body and adapted to operate in connection with the sector, whereby to lock the body in different positions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of August, 1891.

AGUSTUS H. ROGERS. \Vitnessos:

II. N. STEELE, E. F. STEELE. 

